The RS³ software enables the integration of spectral data with location data from a Global Positioning System (GPS). In order to function with RS³ , the GPS unit must be compliant with the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA). 1 ASD has tested various brand names and models of GPS units, please contact ASD Technical Support for a current list.

To utilize the GPS device with the FieldSpec instrument, the GPS unit must first be set to NMEA output and then plugged into the serial port of the controlling computer. If the serial port is unavailable, a USB adapter to serial port will be necessary. After launching the RS³ software, the GPS function should be enabled. The GPS status is located at the bottom of the main window. It will display the latitude, longitude, and elevation of fixed GPS data.

If the GPS data is not fixed, these fields will be blank. The GPS status also contains a status icon. This icon displays the status of the GPS fixed data. Right click on this icon to enable or disable reading the GPS device. As spectral files as saved, the GPS data will be logged into the header information of that specific file. The header information is viewable by using ViewSpec Pro, version 3.03 or higher.